Barents Sea affected by climate changes

The report was initiated by the Joint Russian-Norwegian Commission on Environmental Cooperation and the work has been carried out in co-operation with the Joint Russian-Norwegian Fisheries Commission. The main objective was to provide a comprehensive description of the Barents Sea ecosystem using relevant scientific knowledge from both Russian and Norwegian scientists.

More than 130 experts from a total of nine Russian and 20 Norwegian institutions have participated. The work has been led by Sevmorgeo and PINRO on the Russian side and Institute of Marine Research and the Norwegian Polar Institute on the Norwegian side.

In general, the report describes a healthy ecosystem in the Barents Sea. Much of the illegal fishing is ended and the fish stocks are in sustainable conditions. The ocean is relatively little polluted, but receives long-range transboundary transported pollution through both atmospheric and oceanic advection. In particular, the level of PCBs and other persistent organic pollutants as well as some inorganic contaminants worries the scientists.

Among spices high up in the food chain the levels are considerable. Especially polar bear and some sea birds are exposed to high levels of toxics.

In addition, climatic changes have considerable effects on the system. Reproductive failure and negative population trends in ice-dependent marine mammals are possible effects of climate change, the report writes. Ocean acidification caused by anthropogenic emission of CO2 is an emerging problem that might have a large impact on the Barents Sea ecosystem in the future, according to the joint Norwegian-Russian report.